Curtain rack or stretcher



Aug 5, 1952 v. M. OWENS 2,605,583

CURTAIN RACK 0Rl STRETCHER Filed April 30, 1951 2 SI-IEETS-Sl-)EET l Aug- 5, 1952 v. M. owl-:Ns

CURTAIN RACK OR STRETCHER Filed April 30,V 1951 ATTORNEYS withoutthe use of pins.

Patented Aug. 5, 1952 UNITED ,STAT

CURTAIN uscirne sfrREVTCnER o n Victoria M. Owens, Baltimore, Md. Application Aprilsc, '1951s`eria1 No. 223,696

f This invention relateshto curtainf'racks'ior stretches-1;; a .t .e

' An object of this invention is to provide a rack embodying extensibleA frame members' which are preferably made out of channel material and the channel Aframe members include retractable and extensible pins so that' theframe may be setup without injury to the hands.` A

`notherA4 object of this 'nventionis to provide improved pin Vbars and means for extending or retracting the pins.` Y v A further object of this invention is to provide av curtain rack wherein the frame members may be inserted in the hems of curtains or other fabric With the above and other objects in view, my inventionconsists inthe arrangement, combina- 2 claims. (cl. 45-7-24.)

tion and-details of construction disclosed in the drawings and specification,A and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In 'the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detailed front elevation of a cur-r tain stretcherv constructed according to an embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentaryrear elevation of the device. .Y v

. Figure 3 is an end elevation ofthe device.

Figure i is a fragmentary sectional viewtaken on the Aline 4-4 of Figure 1. 1

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Figure l.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 1. 4

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the line 9 9 of Figure 1.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line III-IU of Figure 1.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the device.

Figure 12 is a front elevation of a modified form of intermediate stretcher bar.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral I5 designates generally a frame structure which is formed of end bars I6 and I1, an upper horizontal bar I8, and a. lower horizontal bar I9. The bars I6 to I9 are of channel shape, being constructed out of metal, and the upper bar I 8 is xed to the end bars I6 and I1 by means of L-shaped members 20. In the present instance there are disclosed two of these frame members I5 disposed in end abutting relation and coupled together so as to form a relatively long stretcher frame' construction. The frame I5 is supported in upstanding position inclined to the vertical by means of a pair of leg'supports 2I formed by bending a relatively stiff bar upon itself, and the upper ends of the leg members 2 I are pivotally mounted in apertured lugs 22 carried by the end. frame members I6 and l1. j

Where two of these frame members or units are disposed in alignment the intermediate support 2| is coupled to the abutting inner end members I1 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The lower channel member I9 is vertically adjustableon the end members I6 and I1 and is secured in adjusted position by means of a hook shaped bolt423 as shown in Figure 10 which is engageableover one side of the end member I1, anda wing nut 24 is threaded onto the bolt 23.

The oppositefor outervend of the channel mem ber I9 as shown in Figure 6 has projecting therefrom an I shaped extension 25 terminating in a hook 26 engageable over the outer sidev wall 21 of the end member I6. vThe outer side wall 21 as shown in Figure 3 is formed with a plurality of spaced apart openings 28 within which a threaded bolt 29 is adapted toengage. A pair of vertically disposed intermediate channel bars 3U engage between the horizontal bars I8 and I9 and are adjustable along the length of the latter.

The intermediate channel members v3l) at their upper ends are formed with extensions 3l terminating in a'hook 32 engageable over the upper side 33 of the upper frame member I8. A set screw 34 is threaded through the extension 3l and bears against the upper side 33 so as to secure the upper end of the channel member 30 in adjusted position along the length of the upper member I8.

The lower portion of the intermediate bar 3U is adjustably secured along the length of the lower channel member I9 by means of an L-shaped clamping member 35 having an outer plate 36 confronting the outer side of the channel member 30, and the clamping member 35 is formed with a hook 31 engageable over the lower wall or side 38 of the channel member I9.

A set screw 39 is threaded through the outer wall or jaw of the clamping member 35 and bears against the channel member 30. The upper and lower channel members Iand I9 are provided with elongated slots 40 within which pins 4I are adapted to loosely or slidably engage.

The pins 4I are secured to an elongated pin carrier 42 disposed within the channel of the frame member, and the carrier 42 is adapted to Each intermediate channel member 3i) is also formed with an elongated opening or slot 48 within which pins are adapted to loosely and slidably engage, and a pin carrier similar .to carrier i2 is disposed within the channel 38 and is: movable forwardly or rearwardly by means of'an eccentric shaft 43. y

The upper frame member i8 has secured thereto a pair of hooks 4B which are swivelly or rotatably secured to the upper frame member I8 so that, if desired, the frame vstructure may be suspended from a suitable support.

Referring now to Figure 12 there is disclosed a modied form of intermediate channel frame member p59 which is. similar in every detail to the intermediate channel frame members 39 with the exception that the channel member 50 does nothave the pins and pin "carrier and is'adapted to beiinserted within 'a hem or the like of a curtain or other fabric which Yis to be stretched. i

In the use and operation of this stretcher the frame structure I5 is initially set vup in upstanding position by extending the legs 2l rearwardly at their lower ends as shown in Figure 2. The intermediate channel members 3S are adjusted along the horizontal channel membersY |8`and I9, and after the initial adjustment of the intermediate members 3B and the lower member '19. thepins 4I of the horizontal andY vertical or ,intermediate channelmembers may -be moved forwardly to extended and .operative position. v

The curtain or fabric is then engaged with the'extended pins'inthe normal manner. The frame structure hereinbefore described is adapted to, be made out of relatively light weight metal, .such as .aluminum or thelike, and will provi-de asrigid frame structure which will withstand the normal .usage for a device of this kind.

By providing the retractible and extendible pins, the person setting up the stretcher will not be injured by the pins during the setting up operation.

What is claimed vis:

1. A curtain stretcher comprising a frame formed of a pair of end bars, upper and lower horizontal bars, a pair of vertical intermediate bars, means adjustably securing said intermediate bars to said upper and' lower ;bars, said upper, lower' and intermediate -bars -being of channel shape and each of said latter named 'bars having spaced openings longitudinally thereof, a,r pin carrier loosely disposed between the sides of'each of said channel bars, pins xed tovsaid carrier engaging in said openings,

. andmeans .comprising'an eccentric shaft carried by said carrier, andan extending knob for turning said `shaft for shifting said pin carrier to thereby extend or retract said pins.

.2. A curtain .stretcher comprising a frame formed of a pair of end bars, an upper channel bar fixed to said end bars, alower channel bar, means. adjustably securing said lower bar to saidhendlbars, a pair of lintermediate'channel bars`,"means adjustably securing said intermediate bars-to said upper and lower b ars, a pin carrier within the channel of each channel. bar', a plurality of pins carried by said carrier, each channel bar having openings through which said pins slidably engage, an .eccentric shaft rotatably ,carried by each channel bar, means for rotatingsadshaft,and means carried by saidV carrier engaging about said .shaft whereby said carrier and pins will be adjusted'to vretracted Vor extended, position uponsrotation of saidshaft. K ,y f VICTORIA'M. OWENS.

aEFanENeEscTED The followingl references are of .record in .the file of this patent: Y h f UNITED STATESr :PATENTS Number y Name Date 926,081 Sta'wartz June 22, 1909 1,366,835 Proctor, Jan. 25, 1921 1,484,418 Solomon Feb. 19, 1924 1,706,283 Flink fr Mar. 19, 1929 2,091,765V

McKee Aug. 3 1, 1937 

